Sometimes, not often, you meet someone who has a phenomenal talent and a true, burning passion for what they do in this life. Not just a passion for the money or the prestige or even the work itself, but a passion for what they do — the work and the purpose behind it. It’s such a rarity to find that passion that it’s striking when you stumble across it, and you cannot help but be affected by it.
This weekend, we met such a man.
Eight of us attended the CrossFit Olympic Lifting Certification Seminar and had the honor of being coached by Mike Burgener. And it was an honor. We spent two days working on the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk, but we learned not only the lifts, but how to teach them better, and, more importantly, how to lead and motivate others to pull the best of themselves forward into this world. All through Olympic Lifting. All through cleans, jerks, snatches, front squats, overhead squats, the Burgener warm-up, and — dare I say it — burpees. Yeah burpees. Burpees as a positive motivational drill. The best burpees of our lives. And if I’m lyin’, I’m dyin’.
Coach B taught us so many things this weekend that it would be impossible to list them all here. You will see them all on the training floor in various incarnations for days, months, and years to come, but there was one thing he said that really stood out, something that should be at the heart of every CrossFit coach, from the smallest affiliate to the top of CFHQ. We’re here for a purpose and it goes far beyond having a hard body or the best score or the heaviest lift. What we do in CrossFit is not ordinary and it is not like what goes on in other gyms across America, on a physiological or mental or emotional level. We’re here to bring out the best in each other as people. So, Coach B’s advice about pushing athletes, about motivating people, rings so true: “Love them. Kick them in the a**. Make them better Americans.” Thanks, Coach B.
May 18th, 2009 at 10:07 am
I can’t wait to learn… better burpees?
May 18th, 2009 at 10:15 am
it sounds like a great experience! can’t wait to have the knowledged passed on to us!
May 18th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Sounds like a hell of a weekend. I’m sure everyone had a great time and learned a lot!
May 18th, 2009 at 11:01 am
If you stop learning you die. I don’t know about anyone else but I’m not ready for that. I can’t wait!!! to learn more.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Coach B is Da Man! Great stuff this weekend and CFW was well represented.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Such a great time this weekend…very inspiring, the coaching & people were top notch.
@Lis – I noticed there wasn’t an evaluation form at the end, was that because we were tight on time or did I just miss it
May 18th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Great time, even got to see greg suffer through his Birthday wod. bonus!
May 18th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I live to put a smug smile on Donna’s face
May 18th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
@Dan: I don’t think you need evaluation forms when everything is perfect?
May 18th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
(But, no, you didn’t miss it. I didn’t see one.)
May 18th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
So great to see all of you!!
May 19th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Well said Lis…I had such a great time, Coach B and all his trainers were just phenomenal!!
May 19th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Nice post Lisbeth! That comment from coach at the end really sent chills down my spine and brought tears to my eyes. Incredible weekend.